Report: Vancouver Canucks, Ethan Bear making ‘no progress’ in contract extension talks

The Vancouver Canucks and Ethan Bear have reportedly been engaged in contract talks for “a few weeks” but have made no progress, according to Rick Dhaliwal on Monday’s episode of Donnie & Dhali – The Team on CHEK TV.

Acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes back on Oct. 28, Bear has made a strong impact as a middle-pairing defenceman in his first 46 games with the Canucks. The Regina, SK product has three goals and 14 points while averaging 18:16 per night with the Canucks this season.

While Bear is under contract through the end of the 2022–23 season at a $2.2 million cap hit, the Canucks are on the hook for only $1.8 million after Carolina retained part of his salary in the trade. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

Bear has been out since Feb. 25 while recovering from an upper-body injury. Here’s what Dhaliwal had to say about Bear on Donnie & Dhali on Monday:

“Ethan Bear and the Vancouver Canucks have been talking contract for a few weeks. I can tell you right now, very quiet. No progress,” Dhaliwal said. “His agent, Jason Davidson, is gonna be on our show tomorrow, he’ll talk a little bit more about it.

“I believe that they’ve talked about a three-year deal but, you know what, if you do a three-year deal with Ethan Bear, you’re gonna buy two UFA years,” Dhaliwal added. “He’s got [arbitration] rights, I don’t know how this is gonna end up, but I can tell you right now, very quiet, no progress on Ethan Bear, lots of work to do.”

Dhaliwal also made note that the Canucks have shown interest in re-signing defenseman Noah Juulsen, a pending Group 6 UFA who they acquired from the Florida Panthers as part of the Olli Juolevi trade.

Juulsen, 25, has appeared in 13 NHL games with the Canucks over the last two seasons, recording a pair of assists. He’s spent most of his time with the Abbotsford Canucks over that stretch, collecting 36 points in 99 contests.

The Canucks will return to action at 7:30 p.m. PT on Monday evening to take on the Nashville Predators at Rogers Arena.